I’ve always been a fan of reading before bed, but with all this extra time at home these days I’ve been reading a lot more than usual. Whenever I’m feeling anxious or stressed I’ll put on some classical music, make myself a cup of tea, and curl up on the sofa with a book. And it always makes me feel so much better!
I’ve been trying to read only in Norwegian, since I’m not speaking Norwegian quite as much these days, and reading Norwegian books has also been a nice way of learning more about the history and culture here. So I thought while you’re waiting on your Scandinavia trips maybe you’d like to dive into some Norwegian literature as well.
When putting together this list I consulted my mother, who has the double benefit of being both Norwegian and a comparative literature professor – and also because apparently this blog is now a family endeavor. In fact my sister is half Norwegian, should I add her books to this list as well?
A Modern Family by Helga Flatland
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
Set in the middle ages, the trilogy follows the life of Kristin Lavransdatter, and while it might sound like a heavy read it’s so engaging that you’re not going to want to ever put it down. But actually though.
And if this gets you on a Sigrid Undset kick, my mom also recommends Jenny. She said her students loved it, and if college students can love it as required reading just imagine how much you’ll enjoy it as an adult.
Doppler by Erlend Loe
It’s a strange little book about a man who abandons his family to live in the woods outside of Oslo, where he befriends an elk calf called Bongo after killing its mother. As I said, it’s strange. But it’s also really funny, in the most Norwegian way. If you want to know what Norwegian humor is like, this is it.
Hunger by Knut Hamsun
After Kristin Lavransdatter this is probably one of the most famous Norwegian novels, and it’s another one that you won’t be able to put down. Like Doppler, this is also a particularly interesting book to be reading right now.
From Hamsun my mom also suggests Pan and Victoria, both of which are sitting in my bookcase and neither of which I have read. Hopefully this stay at home period lasts a bit longer!
Oh my God, did I just say that?
Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
If you read this, when you visit Oslo you should definitely stop by the Kon-Tiki Museum!
The History of Bees by Maja Lunde
Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen
So you’ll have to promise to never, ever tell my mom that the only Ibsen I’ve read is Hedda Gabler. And I read it for a class! I’m sure she’s unfriending me on Facebook as you read this.
Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder
This was also one of the first books I read in Norwegian, which must mean that it’s an easy read.
Berlin Poplars by Anne B Ragde
Berlin Poplars seems to be her only book translated into English, which is a shame because it’s the first in a series about this family. So if you enjoy it as much as I did maybe you’ll have to just go ahead and learn Norwegian.
You can find my foreign language learning tips here!
The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
I did watch “The Snowman” because it was filmed in Rjukan, near where I used to live, but it was pretty bad. Even the film’s director agreed.
Alberta and Freedom by Cora Sandel
My Struggle by Karl Ove Knausgaard
This is another I haven’t yet made it to. My Struggle is a six-volume autobiographical novel that dives into life’s great questions. My mom anticipated our reaction to this being six volumes, so she also suggested his Seasons Quartet series, which is much shorter.
Do you have any other Norwegian books to add? Share in the comments!
Silje says
I think everyone should check out “Drager spiser ikke joggesko” By Sissel Chipman. Super funny fantasy with a twist 😀
Nynke says
That sounds like fun! I do read Norwegian but haven’t finished many novels. And I started skipping stories about Greek philosophers in Sofies Verden before I put it down for another few years… That book is super famous in my generation but I never got around to reading it in translation as a teenager, so I figured it would be perfect for me with my new Norwegian skills. Turns out it was a bit too much, and it is a thick book. But one day, I’ll try again and finish! Philosophy does sound potentially soothing right now…
Antonina says
Lovely list. Have read only Knut Hamsun (all three novels you’ve mentioned), but it was os long ago that I actually feel like rereading them. Also, read a few plays by Henrik Ibsen. And that’s it. Would really like to try Kristin Lavransdatter, thanks for reminding!
Shing Yoong says
Love this post! Been meaning to read Sophie’s World since forever, and the same goes for any Karl Ove Knausgaard novel.
Hunger is one my all-time favs, but I found Victoria really sugary and blah (sorry if this causes offence!). Strange to me how he wrote it after Pan and Hunger.
On a slightly separate note, I really want to visit the Knut Hamsun Museum – the location looks epic.
Aisling says
Thanks for introducing some new authors to me. I’ve bookmarked a few books to read
Joella says
Oh yes, Sophie’s World!! A friend leant it to me when I was 14 and I absolutely loved it. It was my favourite book for a while. It was an amazing introduction to philosophy. I’m going to have to reread it. I hope it lives up to my memory haha. Thanks for the reminder!
Anne says
Sophie’s World was a big hit when it first came out in the UK, but I don’t think it’s retained its popularity which is a real shame because it’s such a great book.
Charlotte says
I read Sophie’s World when I was a teenager, but skipped all the long letters about philosophers. Loved the story though! Should read it again WITH the parts I first skipped.
Antti says
Inheriting collections of old German and Swedish classics, from 18th and 19th century, I couldn’t find books in Norwegian in the shelves at home. In Danish, one, in English – a few. Then I got a Sandemose in my hands. Translation to Finnish. I was around 20 back then. “Vi pynter oss med horn” is the original. For many years, when someone wanted to know my favourite writer, I said “Axel Sandemose”, then.
Jamie Martin says
I’m so pleased that Cora Sandel made it onto your list! A Norwegian friend introduced me to Sandel in the early 1970s and I still have the trilogy on my book shelf. The trilogy is the compelling story of a young, Norwegian woman who leaves Norway for Paris to explore an artistic life. There was Henry Miller, the American writer, doing the same thing, but Sandal’s young woman character was extraordinary for the time period. I highly suggest this tribology. I haven’t met anyone else who has read Sandal so seeing her suggested here is a delicious moment. I also suggest “Professor Anderson’s Night” by Dag Solstad. In this odd but seductive novel, a University professor, at loose end’s in his life, witnesses a murder from his apartment window on Christmas Eve in Oslo. That he’s alone on Christmas Eve is a tip-off of the alienation of the main character. Not a “happy” novel but instead arresting and one I’ve never forgotten. I lived in Stavanger in my early twenties, took Norwegian classes but never mastered the language, which is a pity. By the way, Wikipedia has an extensive list of Norwegian writers, on their website.
Ashley Madison says
Reading The Snowman was the beginning of my acquaintance with Norwegian authors. I really liked this book. Thank you for your recommendations, I will definitely read the other books on this list.
Aase Loseth says
I personally love Naive.Super by Erlend Loe. Some reviews are calling its 24 year old protagonist “Norway’s answer to Holden Caulfield” but I don’t see any particular affinity between Catcher in the Rye and Naive. Super. I have been a voracious book reader my entire life and since my mother was born, raised and educated in Norway, I have been exposed to Norwegian culture, books, art, music, food, etc. since I was born. I have read 90% of the greatest books of America and obvious things like A Doll’s House, all the Per Petterson novels, and, of course, Hamsun’s Hunger. I truly believe that Naive.Super is a better novel than Catcher in the Rye, it more subtle, more introspective and at least 100 pages shorter. My favorite adult Norwegian novel of all time so far. Highly recommend.
ann james says
i was trying to remember jo nesbø’s name to reply to my boss on medium.com regarding norwegian writers. he is a fan of isben. i have never read isben. i have read thor heyerdahl and viewed documentaries about kon-tiki, i remember jo nesbø from a documentary about him a few years ago, but i could not remember his name. your article is fantastic. a great compilation of norwegian authors.
Michael Powe says
Hamsun’s *Growth of the Soil* is his masterpiece. It’s a powerful story in the “man against the wilderness” genre. Like *Kristin Lavransdatter*, it’s a narrative of a family. It runs from beginning, with Isak alone, as he creates a farm in the wilderness, and extends through the fates of his children.
I also can recommend *The Birds* and *The Ice Palace* by Tarjei Vesaas. Worlds away from Hamsun.
NB I have *Sophie’s World*, have yet to read it. Thanks for the list.
Oh Translate says
This is an interesting list of Norwegian novels and authors that I will definitely check out! Thanks for sharing this informative post.